MEDITERRANEAN: More deaths of people on the move ― New ‘Justice Fleet’ severs ties with Libyan Coast Guard ― Greek Coast Guard chief faces charges over Pylos disaster ― New detention order for NGO rescue vessel
At least 45 people have died in two tragic incidents within the space of a week. A new alliance of search and rescue (SAR) NGOs has announced that it is cutting communication with the Libyan Coast Guard. The head of the Greek Coast Guard and three other senior...
First Annual Migration Management Cycle
The European Commission (EC) has launched the first Annual Migration Management Cycle under the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The launch, which took place on 11 November, followed several weeks of delay after the original deadline of 15 October was missed. It centred...
IRELAND: Asylum applicants targeted in violent incidents ― Politicians accused of ‘escalating tensions’ ― Government plans to charge asylum applicants for accommodation and limit provision for Ukrainians ― NGO report raises concerns about care of unaccompanied children
Several violent incidents in which people seeking asylum have been targeted have taken place in recent weeks. Politicians have been accused of exacerbating anti-migration sentiments through their use of language. A government committee has approved plans that would...
EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Outcomes of EU-Egypt summit spark criticism ― MSF ordered to leave Libya ― IOM calls Libya ‘dangerous place’ for people on the move ― NGO denounces IOM for hosting meeting with Libyan authorities ― Tunisia suspends NGOs ― Tunisian refugee rights advocates go on trial
The outcomes of the first-ever EU-Egypt summit have been criticised by NGOs. The humanitarian NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has been ordered to leave Libya. The head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has spoken about the dire conditions faced...
ECRE Policy Note: Towards a point of no return for fundamental rights? The EC’s proposal for a Return Regulation
ECRE has published a policy note which summarises its analysis of key provisions in the proposal for a Regulation establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (commonly known as the ‘Return Regulation’). The...
OP-ED: Europe must resist temptation to deport Afghans into a rights vacuum
By Hameed Hakimi In August 2024, Germany became the first European country to deport Afghans to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Although the deportation process was facilitated through Qatar, two things should be clear. First, the office of the then German chancellor...
CENTRAL EUROPE: Austria to close last remaining arrival centre for Ukrainians ― Protests against German chancellor’s migration comments ― Polish PM criticised for comments about future of ECHR ― Polish court rejects complaint from pushback victim ― Switzerland announces draconian travel ban for people in asylum system and tightens temporary protection regime
The last remaining arrival centre for displaced Ukrainians in Austria is due to close at the end of 2025. Demonstrations have taken place in several German cities in response to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s comments on migration. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has...
ITALY: Prime Minister joins other EU leaders for informal migration summit – Media investigation into Italy-Albania migration deal – Humanitarians on trial in Sicily – ICC rules on Italy’s handling of Almasri case – Italy-Libya MoU renewed
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has participated in an informal meeting on migration in the margins of the latest European Council summit. A recent media investigation has added to the longstanding criticism of the Italy-Albania migration agreement. Six members of a...